Let Us Wake Up

We write today with sadness and outrage at the brutal murder of Honduran indigenous and environmental activist, in her own home.

A leading organizer for indigenous land rights in Honduras, Cáceres co-founded the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras, or COPINH. For many years, the group has faced violent reprisals for the brave and unflinching defense of their land and rivers against corporate and governmental incursion and exploitation.

Last year, Cáceres won a Goldman Environmental Prize, the world’s leading environmental award. Below her acceptance speech; in a few carefully chosen and deeply felt words, she articulates the single most urgent issue of our time, and how we must respond.